Comment from Reuben
Time September 22, 2008 at 6:12 PM

Its good DerMarr is from DC. He could be a good adition. Im not sure about the other 2 im surprised we didnt sign a guard.

Comment from SportzWiz
Time September 22, 2008 at 6:32 PM

The Wizards also picked up the option for 2009-10 for Eddie Jordan. Reuben there are still three days left til camp so the Wizards still could add a guard.

Comment from neal
Time September 22, 2008 at 9:02 PM

Here’s the deal: we trade these three guys and one of our hot pom pom girls for a dependable guard.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time September 22, 2008 at 9:03 PM

What difference does it make whether DerMarr is from DC, Reuben? I’d rather he was a better player and from somewhere else!

Comment from GlingGling
Time September 22, 2008 at 9:29 PM

I like this news. Even with Dominic looking good this summer and saying he wants to be the back up small forward I think it’s still a good idea to try to shore up this position.

I have no idea why people are on about this guard stuff. Gil isn’t going to be out the whole season. AD and deshawn can step up and add more minutes if they have to but I think Dee will be as dependable as Robot Mason Jr. Remember Roger played scant games/minutes before the 07/08 season in which he “stepped up” when they needed a guard. Dee can step up too. He played dependably in summer league (yeah I know not a good indicator) and was getting serious minutes overseas. Also we can always *hope* that Nick Young finds his game. If we consider it from that angle then the Wizards will be in the same or better guard position as last year, and that’s only until Gil comes back when they’ll have great options.

Now consider the small forward position in 07/08. Basically… Caron. He was playing 40 mpg and 4th in the league in minutes. I mean I love caron, favorite player in the league, but he’ll play more efficiently if he has the option to come out for a couple of extra minutes. Now we have the option to test out three guys at small forward. With that on top of a much improved Dominic our small forward position will be very dependable.

In summary, we don’t need a guard, we need a small forward.

Comment from Bridge
Time September 22, 2008 at 9:35 PM

Ok, what about a point guard? Yeah, Gilbert won’t be out long but until then, Daniels is gonna need some assistance – AD is great, but who’s gonna back him up…Or maybe I’m just missing something…What’s up with all these forwards?

Ok, who are we about to trade?? (Because that’s all I can think as a result of all this).

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time September 22, 2008 at 9:39 PM

I need that magic mirror you guys look in to know how long Gil will be out. I don’t have one, so I think he won’t be back until February, if then. And even then that he won’t be ready for big minutes.

Dominic seems a lot more likely guy to give us minutes at the 3 than DerMarr or Linton!! As to what Dee “can do,” we don’t have the slightest idea. Hope so.

Comment from Bridge
Time September 22, 2008 at 9:39 PM

Oh, I forgot about Dee Brown – he’ll save the day I guess (?)

Dominic (in my opinion) is a dependable SF – he’s just never given a chance!

Yeah, and “Robot Mason” about to kick our a**es every time we play the Spurs best believe that…

Comment from GlingGling
Time September 22, 2008 at 9:45 PM

Bridge, we’ll give Dee a chance. Just like the wizards gave “D” a chance last year…get it, get it.

I know Robot Mason Jr will kick us in the junk next season. I loved the guy that’s why I gave him a nickname. He’s a good shooter and a stand up guy, but he’s gone and we gotta move on. We will move on.

Comment from Wizards4Life
Time September 22, 2008 at 9:59 PM

i am just going to say that i agree with every thing there doing so that when it turns out good i can be like i told you so… if not please forget it… lol

Comment from Bridge
Time September 22, 2008 at 10:12 PM

Naw man, I’m kinda slow sometimes so, I’m sorry but I don’t get it – throw me a hint or something cuz “D” ain’t doin’ it lol. Dominic? Deshawn? Defense? Ok I feel real slow right now lmao…

I’m not trying to call him out or not give him a chance, it’s just that that’s a HUGE space to fill; not saying that he’s not capable, but I really wasn’t that impressed with his summer league play – he just looked too fast; kinda uncontrollable to the point where his opponent would just kinda shake him and move on. He seems to be a “hot-head” too. This is just my point-of-view though – I’m hoping he proves me wrong. I personally liked Draper A LOT more.

I moved on about Mason . I was just sayin’…

Comment from GrifonRacing
Time September 22, 2008 at 11:03 PM

We have 2 point guards (healthy), 2 off guards, and 2 small forwards. Granted a guard and a forward are only second year players, but, I think we will be ok. The positive side of this is that Nick is again going to get playing time he normally wouldn’t get because of the injury. I’m hoping he uses it to his best advantage and learns the NBA game hands on. When Gil comes back it should make us a lot more versatile. If we are going to be any kind of a team this year Nick, Dominic, and Andre have to play well for us.

SportzWiz I’m glad we exercised our option on our Coach. I would rather have seen an extension, however. I hope we add a (young or cheap) wing player to our training camp roster. We are pretty deep in “bigs”. Everybody so far is more of a 3/4 kinda guy. I’d rather see a 2/3 kind guy.

Training Camp is almost here! The season is just around the bend

Comment from wizfan and the kid
Time September 23, 2008 at 12:08 AM

Can’t resist this one folks: We’ll convert Blatche to a Point/Forward! Oh, wait… did we ever try that long, tall lean guy bringing up the ball thing….???

Comment from neal
Time September 23, 2008 at 2:13 AM

If we need him, Blatche can spell Butler at the 3, like he did last year. If McGuire doesn’t play well, expect Blatche to play there and Songaila to spell Jamison.

But if Young and Brown don’t play well, what then?

Comment from SportzWiz
Time September 23, 2008 at 9:51 AM

So I was downstairs on the practice court getting some photos of the Wizard Girls for the program and a whole bunch of guys were working out, rotating one-on-one against each other. The players were Nick, Dom, Taj, Linton, Dee and JaVale. Didn’t see much, but Taj had one great drive and dunk where the guys went crazy and I really think that one day JaVale McGee will have a very consistent jump hook that will be very hard to stop with his athletic ability and wingspan.

Dom’s jumper looked real good and I’m excited to see Dee Brown pick up guard 90 feet, the guy is very quick on defense. Again didn’t get to see much but that’s what I noticed.

Comment from GlingGling
Time September 23, 2008 at 12:05 PM

Bridge, sorry for being vague, I did mean “D” for defense. As for Dee having a huge space to fill, Roger wasn’t even a point guard. We had one true point and three shooting guards. Other players can fill up Roger’s 9.1 ppg as long Dee protects the ball and remains active on defense. I agree he looked pretty hyper in summer league. Remember though, it’s easier to slow someone down than it is to speed them up. Ohh, I guess I didn’t pay attention to any other summer league guys except the signed players, I had to focus on them.

Tom, you’re right none of us have magic mirrors, few of us are doctors, and none of us are Gil. All we can go by is the odd Gil blog post and whatever SportzWiz can leak to us. Gil said he is hopeful for mid Dec. to Jan. 1. I don’t know what he felt (or what he knew) when he wrote that, but that’s what we have to go on right now (unless somebody else knows more).

GrifonRacing, I agree with you about Nick, Dom, and Andray. Though my hopes rest mostly on Dom and Andray because Nick looked *terrible* in summer league. I hope he was just having a bad two weeks.

wizfan, Caron is already our point forward and with the bigs getting depth there is gonna be some forwards adding a few assists.

Neal, you just pointed out, that if players step up and play well then the team will have some nice options.

SportzWiz, it’s good to hear that Dom is still looking good, his jumper was monstrous in summer league. Good to hear Dee is showing some good stuff too.

Comment from dmac
Time September 23, 2008 at 12:32 PM

Sportzwiz who do feel between Andray, Nick, Dominic and Pecherov could or should have a breakout season?

Comment from Bridge
Time September 23, 2008 at 12:45 PM

“Bridge, sorry for being vague, I did mean “D” for defense. As for Dee having a huge space to fill, Roger wasn’t even a point guard. We had one true point and three shooting guards.” – - GG

I kinda figured it meant that. As far as me saying that Dee has a “huge space to fill”, I wasn’t referring to him being in place of Mason – I was referring to the near future (when the season starts) where he’s our backup point guard until Gilbert returns; just me wondering about starter/minute distributions between him and Daniels. I know that Mason is a SG – I KNOW positions. Now that you brought it up though, Mason did used to be put out there with all the “younger guys” and ran the floor as if a PG – I never became confused though about what he was/is…But ok; just wanted to clear that up .

Comment from SportzWiz
Time September 23, 2008 at 1:10 PM

To start off Coach Jordan and Ernie just spoke to the media, quotes coming. The quote that said the most was Eddie saying Ernie had some tricks up his sleeves coming in the next few days, so we definitely could add another player or two before camp.

On to dmacs question, in order of breakout season im going to say in my opinion (and this could be way way off, again my opinioin)

Dray, Dom, Nick, Pech.

I just really like what I have seen out of dom. I think Nick is going to do a very solid job at the #2 but I think people have higher expectations for him. Pech is finally playing in 5 on 5′s again after rehabbing since summer league.

I really think that the light has gone on for dray and his hard work in the offseason will pay dividends this season.

Comment from Harry Baldwin
Time September 23, 2008 at 1:43 PM

Come on, What is this? I thought the wizards trying to push for the championship this year. Picking up these guys is like a slap in the face to the fans who’ve been supporting them and patiently waiting for a championship run. In order for the wizards to be contenders they have to make aggressive moves like trading Gilbert Arenas for Tracy McGrady and Antonio Daniels for Steve Francis.

Comment from dmac
Time September 23, 2008 at 2:21 PM

Thanks for the reply SportzWiz.
Can’t wait to see what EG has up his sleeve.

Comment from dmac
Time September 23, 2008 at 2:36 PM

Could it be Juan Dixon? Could it be Bonzi? Could it be Starbury? UMMMMMM

Comment from SportzWiz
Time September 23, 2008 at 2:45 PM

I think it might be one of those , but we’ll see.

Comment from SportzWiz
Time September 23, 2008 at 2:47 PM

Steve Francis? Are we talking about the same Steve Francis?

Comment from neal
Time September 23, 2008 at 3:07 PM

So SportzWiz, how do the girls look?

Thanks for giving us your opinion on the 4 kids. No one is going to rag on you if you’re wrong. We just appreciate your willingness to give us an informed opinion.

McGrady is way too expensive. We would have to trade half the team. But maybe we could get him for less if we agreed to take Francis also. Otherwise, I wouldn’t trade a top-notch hot dog vendor for Francis.

Sometimes a GM earns his pay by not making trades – by just being patient.

Comment from SportzWiz
Time September 23, 2008 at 3:12 PM

I think everyone will be pleased with the new Wizard Girl look (except maybe for Bridge ).

No problem Neal, I really like our young group of guys and very few teams have their rookies see as much time as ours did last year, and I think that experience will help this season.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time September 23, 2008 at 3:51 PM

SportsWiz — a JaVale jump hook would be *unstoppable* I agree. I hope he gets on the floor some this season.

Comment from SportzWiz
Time September 23, 2008 at 3:55 PM

Eddie talked about JaVale’s role today. he said it probably wouldn’t be very consistent and when asked if he would be in the rotation he said “no”. He did say that a large part of that has to do with being young in the NBA and from his experience young players dont see much playing time because they are more prone to mistakes.

With that said, Eddie loves his potential, he really likes his size and athleticism and said he is the longest player he’s ever been affiliated with and he runs and jumps very well and he’s got very good hands. He expects him to learn a lot this year and work hard and get spot minutes. My guess is the most you will see of JaVale this season will be in the preseason.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time September 23, 2008 at 3:57 PM

Once we trade for tracy mcgrady, we can trade him for tracy murray.

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time September 23, 2008 at 4:01 PM

Tom,

I guess I was right on this one:

Wizards Close to Signing Juan Dixon
Wizards president Ernie Grunfeld and coach Eddie Jordan hinted as much during a press conference they held here at the Verizon Center two hours ago and now I’m hearing that it is close to becoming reality: the Wizards and former Terp/Wizard guard Juan Dixon are in the process of agreeing to contract terms.

I’m hearing that the contract will be only partially guaranteed, meaning that Dixon would have to make the team out of training camp which opens Saturday in Richmond. Considering that Eddie Jordan enjoyed having Juan as a scoring option off of his bench during his previous stint with the team and given that the backcourt has a hole now that Gilbert Arenas is expected to miss at least the first month of the regular season with a knee injury, you’d have to like Dixon’s chances of making it.

Once I have this confirmed, I’ll update accordingly.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time September 23, 2008 at 4:03 PM

I don’t know what exactly a “breakout” season would entail — but I can tell you that if Dom has one, we are a *much* better team (ditto Andray).

I think “Harry Baldwin” was tweaking us.

Ernie has “tricks up his sleeve” huh? Hmmmm, maybe a trade? Maybe we’re going to give Boston some cash for Bill Walker — , that’s a joke. A trade is *always* exciting. But, most likely it’s… I don’t know!

SportsWiz, can’t you just kind of hang around outside his office and try to listen in??????

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time September 23, 2008 at 4:08 PM

This is some great news, with Juan coming back bye Dee Brown, Juan had developed into a nice 1 and can play spot at the 2, he will be a great spark off the bench and I am sure for a month or so he will see extended minutes, GREAT JOB ERNIE!

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time September 23, 2008 at 4:12 PM

No, not bye bye Dee Brown. And, no, bringing back Juan is not particularly a plus. But, it will put butts in the seat w/ Gil out.

This is from the Washington Times: “I’m hearing that one of the reasons why the Wizards are hesitant to hand out guaranteed deals at this point is because they have little room to work with under the luxury tax cap and believe that some solid veterans could end up getting cut by other teams during or soon after training camp and they’d like to save that cash for that type of situation, or to pay a solid veteran if they could manage to pull off a preseason trade.”

I am hoping for someone more productive than Juan.

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time September 23, 2008 at 4:20 PM

Here you go Tom, this is all but a done deal

Eddie on the chance of adding Juan: “It’s very possible. He’s a guy I’m comfortable with and he could help us certainly.”

-Here’s the deal: The Wizards want Juan Dixon but they don’t want to go over the luxury tax. He made $2.55 million last season and obviously hasn’t had teams lining up to give him anywhere near that so far but he clearly will want to make as much as possible. The key will be whether the Wizards can talk Juan into taking a cap friendly deal. Roger Mason Jr. did just that last summer, had a big season and earned himself a tidy $7.3 million deal from the Spurs this summer.

Comment from SportzWiz
Time September 23, 2008 at 4:20 PM

Tom, I think we will have official news for you soon enough…Not saying by the end of today, but probably by the end of tomorrow.

I would agree with Tom, definitely not bye bye for Dee one way or the other, Coach Jordan really likes the quick change of pace guard that he hasn’t had in a long time.

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time September 23, 2008 at 4:26 PM

I guess this had been a busy day for you SportzWiz, I guess we will see on Wed what other moves will be made. I believe Juan will be a big help this year, again I watched him in Toronto, Portland and spot duty in Detroit. His stint with Sam Mitchell only playing him at the 1, has really made a differance on his all around game.

Comment from SportzWiz
Time September 23, 2008 at 4:27 PM

been a busy last few days and it wont stop until hopefully june .

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time September 23, 2008 at 4:33 PM

Just so we don’t get into any misunderstandings — I don’t have anything against Juan Dixon. I like Juan Dixon. He was a great college player, and is an example of someone who — against great odds — made something of himself. All good.

But, he is *not* a productive NBA player, and his is not a case like Roger who needed time to develop and a chance to show what he could do. Juan has had plenty of time; he has played almost 8000 minutes in the NBA. He shoots a low percentage, doesn’t steal (or otherwise play much defense: too small), gets few rebounds and few assists and in general is a liability.

For these reasons, over six seasons he has worked himself from a first round choice to out of a job. Would I give him a non-guaranteed, veteran minimum camp contract? Sure. But, we should be able to do better as camps close and guys get cut.

Comment from Wizards4Life
Time September 23, 2008 at 4:35 PM

did Areans call for Dixon to come back because he was that fire off the bench? i think i read that in his blog..

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time September 23, 2008 at 4:39 PM

Tom, all great points about Dixon, with time and also matuity I am sure that he will be a very BIG part of the team and some of the past issues will be worked out on the floor for us this year. As far as doing better, Tom I am positive this will not be the ONLY move for us, stay tuned.

Comment from neal
Time September 23, 2008 at 4:40 PM

I haven’t seen Dixon as a PG. If he really can play there competently he’s a good pickup – can back up either guard position. So, I wonder if he would back up Daniels, rather than Brown. That will be interesting to see.

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time September 23, 2008 at 4:41 PM

Wizards4Life, yes at one point either in an interview or a blog, Gil had stated that Juan was that fire off the bench. And I am sure he will elevate Nick Young’s game and others on the 2nd unit with his D, and attitude.

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time September 23, 2008 at 4:44 PM

Neal,

I am not just a HOMER (wink) I really watched him in Toronto when TJ Ford went down, he really improved at the 1, in Portland he was used much of the same as he was here, of course Blake, Jack was at the 1 as well. He played combo with Detroit, in spot duty. I really believe he will back up Daniels, and on some nights see a few minutes at the 2 depending on the matchups.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time September 23, 2008 at 4:48 PM

Jeffmalone90 — Juan averaged 26 minutes a game w/ toronto in ’06-07 and got 1.6 assists a game. Gee I guess he wasn’t being played at the point that year.

In ’07-08, he played only 11+ minutes per game w/ Toronto. He averaged 1.8 assists. That’s better, only slightly less than an average NBA point guard. On the other hand, playing the point that year, he doubled his turnover rate to much higher than an average point guard, and he got about half the steals per minute played as an average point guard.

No, Juan Dixon can’t play the point. He is a designated shooter. Unfortunately his career FGA is .414.

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time September 23, 2008 at 4:51 PM

Dixon back up Daniels? Holy moly, I sure hope not. Can you spell 38 wins?

Comment from Tom Mandel
Time September 23, 2008 at 4:52 PM

If he is on the team, he’ll get spot minutes at the 2.

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time September 23, 2008 at 5:00 PM

Tom,

Are you on Juan Dixon Christmas card list, lol? Stats are great, however they are also compiled over an entire year(07-08 is when Sam put hom at the 1, he originally came in as a shooter to help space the floor). I actually watched him play in Toronto, and in Detroit and all I can tell you is this he has improved his ball skills since his first go around with the Wizards. And he really has evolved into a decent passer, we all now he is a streaky shooter with 3 pt range, and an above average defender. We can agree to disagree on this one, however I am positive he will back up AD and also get minutes at the 2. We will see how it all plays out in camp.

Comment from SportzWiz
Time September 23, 2008 at 5:06 PM

its official, wiz sign dixon!

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time September 23, 2008 at 5:08 PM

Thanks Sportz Wiz, they sure moved on this fast

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time September 23, 2008 at 5:11 PM

Sport Wiz, any news of the terms of the deal?

Comment from SportzWiz
Time September 23, 2008 at 5:26 PM

im guessing its similar to the DerMarr Johnson, Linton Johnson and Taj McCullough deal, which means non-guaranteed deal.

Comment from Harry Baldwin
Time September 24, 2008 at 12:45 AM

Based on player saleries these trades would make sense
Oleksiy Pecherov & Dominic McGuire for J.J. Redick and Gilbert Arenas & Antonio Daniels for Tracy McGrady along with cash options and or a first round draft pick.

Comment from jeffmalone1990
Time September 24, 2008 at 5:35 AM

Harry

Why would you want us to trade Arenas, Pech and Dom and AD? Should we include the ball boys, a few people in the concession stands and Redskins and Wiz season tickets as well? We have a great team, and we keep adding players that fit our system. The issue for us, IMO is staying healthy. Also I still believe we have another move coming.

Comment from Harry Baldwin
Time September 24, 2008 at 4:02 PM

A great team can get past the first round of the playoffs.

Comment from Wiz034
Time September 24, 2008 at 7:23 PM

Harry,
then why should the Wiz add McGrady, he hasn’t been able to get out of the 1st round either, and I can’t remember when and if Stevie Franchise had even been to the playoffs..